Basic Brown Sugar Meringue Food

EASY BROWN SUGAR MERINGUE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 F.
• Arrange the oven racks so one is in the upper third and the other is in the bottom third of the oven.
• Put sugars in food processor and process for about 60 seconds. If you don't have a food processor, you can skip this step. It just helps make the sugar a little finer and it will dissolve more quickly. If you can find superfine sugar , use that along with the brown sugar.
• Beat the egg whites on medium speed of electric mixer until foamy. Add cream of tartar; continue beating until the egg whites hold soft peaks. Gradually beat in both sugars and continue to beat until the meringue holds very stiff peaks. Beat in vanilla extract. The meringue should be very smooth and have no sugar grittiness.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. A tiny dot of meringue under the parchment paper at each corner will keep it from moving while you work.
• Spoon small mounds of meringue on the parchment paper. Sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar over each mound. Or pipe the meringue using a decorative star tip, if desired.
• Bake for 1 hour, rotating the baking sheets after 30 minutes. Take a meringue out to test. Break in half; it should be dry in the center. Turn the oven off and leave the door partially open. Leave meringues in the oven for 1 hour longer.

BROWN SUGAR MERINGUES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 120C. Have ready 2 baking sheets lined with baking paper. Sift the brown sugar into a bowl and set aside. Beat the eggwhites until soft peaks form. Add the castor sugar in 3 lots, beating until the whites are glossy and thick. With motor still running, steadily "rain" in the brown sugar as if it was polenta. Spoon tablespoon blobs of meringue onto the trays, leaving space between. Smooth tops if you like. I like the little swirls and peaks from the spoon, so please yourself. If you are going to fill them with caramel cream later it is a good idea to shape the mounds with a definite hollow in the centre. Bake for about 50 minutes until firm. Turn oven off and prop door open with a wooden spoon or similar and leave until meringues are quite cold. Store in an airtight container. Makes 16 meringues. This recipes is featured in the book, Autumn which is available now in all good bookstores RRP $34.95. To order direct call 1300 656 059 or visit www.smh.com.au/store

BROWN SUGAR PECAN MERINGUES

Steps:

• First, mix both sugars, set aside. Whip whites on med. up to a soft peak. Add sugars one tablespoon at a time, while mixing. When all sugar is added, turn on high and whip to a stiff peak. Fold in pecans and vanilla. Drop by spoonfulls onto parchment lined cookie sheets. Smooth with the back of the spoon into rounds a half to 3/4 inches thick. Bake at 300 for 30-40 minutes or until dry and a light golden brown. Makes 24 big cookies.

BROWN SUGAR MERINGUES WITH RED WINE PLUMS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 140C/fan 120C/gas 1. Line a large baking sheet with baking paper. Blend together the cornflour, vinegar and vanilla to make a paste. Whisk the egg whites until they are stiff and glossy, then whisk in the sugar in three goes, adding a little paste and whisking back to firm peaks each time. Keep whisking until the meringue is thick and heavy.
• Spoon six meringue heaps onto the baking sheet, spaced apart, then shape into nests by making dips in the centres with the back of a spoon. Bake for 1 hr, then turn off the oven and leave to cool in the oven for a further hr.
• Put the wine, sugar and cinnamon stick in a medium pan and bring to the boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add the plums, then poach gently for 4-5 mins until just tender. Remove the plums with a slotted spoon, peel off the skins, then set aside.
• Increase the heat under the sauce and boil hard until reduced to a thick syrup, about 5 mins. Pour into a jug; leave to cool.
• To serve, set the meringue nests on serving plates and spoon the crème fraîche into the centres. Place three plum halves on each and drizzle over the sauce. Serve without delay.

BROWN SUGAR MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• In pie shell, stir in with your fingers the 4 egg yolks.
• Pour the evaporated milk over the yolks.
• Stir in, with your fingers, the vanilla. In a seperate bowl, mix the brown sugar with the flour and salt, and sprinkle it into the yolk/milk mixture. Do not stir!
• Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until the custard is done (sometimes takes longer than 1 hour). When almost done, beat the reserved egg whites with vanilla and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar and beat until glossy and all sugar is dissolved.
• Spread meringue over hot pie, sealing to the edges and bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until meringue is golden.